Coach: Winning the County Crown was 'Like a Dream'

(Editor's note: This update provided by coach Mike Curci.)

Throughout this season to remember, the Cranford boys varsity soccer team has followed the "one game at a time" mantra, although they have to admit they’ve had their eye on the big prize for years.

Saturday night, the top-seeded Cougars turned that dream into a reality by grinding out a hard-earned 1-0 victory over second-seeded Westfield to win the first county championship in program history.

Again, it came down to one big goal, and a top-notch defensive effort, which has been the storyline in every big game this season for the Cougars, who remain undefeated at 22-0-2.

The lone goal of the game came with three minutes left in the first half, when senior captain Pat Hartnett headed-in a beautiful right-footed cross by Eric Walano from eight yards out, just beating the oncoming Westfield keeper to the ball. That would prove to be the game-winner and the goal that will go down in history as the one that clinched their first-ever county title.

“This has been an amazing ride. I don’t think anyone of us can put into words exactly how we feel about winning the county title,” said head coach Mike Curci.  "When the final whistle blew, it was almost like a dream, a little surreal. It’s incredible. I am so proud of these young men and what they have achieved this season. Every practice, every game, the work they put in throughout the year, makes this all worthwhile.”

The Cougars were admittedly on their heels in the first 30 minutes, with Westfield putting on the pressure. Goalie Scott Boyer, arguably one of the best keepers in the state, came up with another huge save 12 minutes in, when he deflected a point-blank shot just outside the goal post. That one play may have saved the game.

“When I saw where the ball was and that the Westfield player was one-on-one, you start thinking that, in a moment, we’ll be playing from behind," said Curci. "But Scott made another one of his athletic, acrobatic saves, and that’s what he’s been doing the entire season. We have a lot of talented players, but we wouldn’t be where we are without him."

After the goal late in the half, the Cougars finally settled into their possession game, and had the better of the play in the second half, as the Cranford defense constantly pressured and shut off the passing lanes against a gutsy Westfield team.

“We talked at halftime about making sure that Joe Greenspan didn’t beat us in the second half," said Curci. “He’s a tremendous talent, and he made a lot of things happen for them in the first half. Eric Walano, Ray El-Khoury and Ryan Lopes made sure they marked him the final 40 minutes, and we essentially took his game away. That was important.”

Cranford’s back line, led by senior sweeper and captain Patrick Kaskiw, Walano, Lopes and Rob Ghiretti, held Westfield to just two shots on goal in the second half. Cranford had a few more scoring opportunities, but they were confident that their defense would prevail, and considering they’ve given up just 7 goals in 24 games with 17 shutouts, there was reason for optimism.

“It’s always been defense first for us. What they have done this year is impressive. Our midfield is a big part of that as well," said Curci. "Connor DeMars, Alex Porter, Nick Pace, Josh Barrera, George El-Khoury, and Ray El-Khoury, plus our forwards Hartnett and Alex Rocha pressure when their defense has possession. We try and force mistakes, and all it takes is one chance for us to capatilize. We’ve done that all season long.”

Hartnett leads the county with 27 goals, and has handled the pressure on the biggest stage, having tallied the game-winners versus Union in the county semi’s, Somerville in the state quarterfinals and now Westfield, with the county title on the line.

“Pat has been amazing all season, but in the past two weeks, he’s really taken over and handled the pressure well,” said Curci. “His tournament goals are worthy of highlight reel status, the stuff of legends. He’s turned into the player I always thought he could be.”

But Curci is quick to note, that every player, either on the field or off, has played an important role throughout this remarkable season.

“Although we have our core of players who get the majority of playing time, everyone has played an important role. During the summer and in pre-season, everyone pushes each other to raise their level of play, to get in shape, to be ready," said Curci. "That’s a big reason we’ve been able to wear teams down time and again. We can go 100 minutes and still push the envelope. We’ve won games by wearing teams down and that all started in July and August. They hated it then, but I’m sure they love the results now.”

The results are a Union County Championship, the first for the Cranford boys program in the 44-year history of the event. History made, a season to savor for the 2009 champions.

Click here to read how the Lady Cougars soccer team captured their own UCT crown.